Multi-stage object detection and categorization of antenna mount locations

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure include determining that a first instance of a first object is present in a first image in accordance with an execution of a first image processing algorithm, generating a first bounding region that at least partially surrounds the first instance of the first object in the first image, determining that the first instance of the first object in the first image has a first attribute in accordance with an execution of a second image processing algorithm, wherein the second image processing algorithm is operative on the first image in accordance with the first bounding region, and selecting the first instance of the first object and/or a second instance of the first object to receive a deployment of a network resource in accordance with the determining that the first instance of the first object in the first image has the first attribute. Other aspects are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/427,760 filed on May 31, 2019. All sections of the aforementionedapplication are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a multi-stage object detection andcategorization of antenna mount locations.

BACKGROUND

As the world continues to become increasingly connected overvast/various communication networks, network/service operators/providersare continuously confronted with the challenge of providing efficient,high-quality service to users/devices. For example, as a network/serviceoperator seeks to implement additional resources to support an existingnetwork, or is providing resources in the first instance (such as duringan initial deployment of a given, new network), technicians/sitesurveyors are dispatched to identify candidate locations/objects (e.g.,utility poles) that will best serve as a host site of the resources.Reports/Data prepared/gathered by the technicians are subsequentlyreviewed/analyzed by, e.g., engineers to ultimately select alocation/object from the candidate locations/objects. Thus, theidentification/selection of a location/object is time and laborintensive and is susceptible to error (e.g., is susceptible tomisinterpretation or miscommunication between technicians andengineers), potentially resulting in costly rework and increasedproduct/service development cycle times. Still further, the reports/datamay potentially miss/overlook/ignore information, such that a selectedcandidate location might not be the optimum location. As a result, theservice that is obtained/provided by the resources whendeployed/implemented may be sub-optimal in some instances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2C depicts an example of an image that is processed to identifyobjects and attributes of the objects in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 2D depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2E depicts a deployment of a resource about an object in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for selecting an object for receiving a deployment of aresource in accordance with a processing of one or more images. Otherembodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include obtaining an imagethat is sourced from a vehicle, identifying a first plurality ofcharacteristics in the image, comparing the first plurality ofcharacteristics to a second plurality of characteristics associated witha plurality of objects to generate a first score, determining that afirst match exists based on a comparison of the first score to a firstthreshold, responsive to the determining that the first match exists,identifying a first object of the plurality of objects as being presentin the image, identifying a third plurality of characteristics in theimage based on a processing of the image in accordance with a firstbounding region that surrounds the first object in the image, comparingthe third plurality of characteristics to a plurality of attributes togenerate a second score, determining that a second match exists based ona comparison of the second score to a second threshold, responsive tothe determining that the second match exists, identifying a firstattribute of the plurality of attributes as being present in the firstobject, and selecting the first object or a second object of theplurality of objects to receive a deployment of a communication networkresource in accordance with the identifying of the first object and theidentifying of the first attribute.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include obtaining a firstplurality of images, identifying a first plurality of characteristics inthe first plurality of images, determining that a first match existsbased on a comparison of the first plurality of characteristics to asecond plurality of characteristics associated with a plurality ofobjects, responsive to the determining that the first match exists,identifying a first object, a second object, or a combination thereof,as being present in the first plurality of images, resulting in at leastone identified object, identifying a third plurality of characteristicsin the first plurality of images based on a processing of the firstplurality of images in accordance with a bounding region that at leastpartially surrounds the at least one identified object, determining thata second match exists based on a comparison of the third plurality ofcharacteristics to a plurality of attributes, responsive to thedetermining that the second match exists, identifying a first attributeof the plurality of attributes as being present in the at least oneidentified object, and selecting the at least one identified object toreceive a deployment of a first resource in accordance with theidentifying of the at least one identified object and the identifying ofthe first attribute.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include determining that afirst instance of a first object is present in a first image inaccordance with an execution of a first image processing algorithm,responsive to the determining that the first instance of the firstobject is present in the first image, generating a first bounding regionthat at least partially surrounds the first instance of the first objectin the first image, determining that the first instance of the firstobject in the first image has a first attribute in accordance with anexecution of a second image processing algorithm, wherein the secondimage processing algorithm is operative on the first image in accordancewith the first bounding region, and selecting the first instance of thefirst object, a second instance of the first object, or a combinationthereof, to receive a deployment of a network resource in accordancewith the determining that the first instance of the first object in thefirst image has the first attribute.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in part obtainingan image that is sourced from a vehicle, identifying a first pluralityof characteristics in the image, comparing the first plurality ofcharacteristics to a second plurality of characteristics associated witha plurality of objects to generate a first score, determining that afirst match exists based on a comparison of the first score to a firstthreshold, responsive to the determining that the first match exists,identifying a first object of the plurality of objects as being presentin the image, identifying a third plurality of characteristics in theimage based on a processing of the image in accordance with a firstbounding region that surrounds the first object in the image, comparingthe third plurality of characteristics to a plurality of attributes togenerate a second score, determining that a second match exists based ona comparison of the second score to a second threshold, responsive tothe determining that the second match exists, identifying a firstattribute of the plurality of attributes as being present in the firstobject, and selecting the first object or a second object of theplurality of objects to receive a deployment of a communication networkresource in accordance with the identifying of the first object and theidentifying of the first attribute. Communications network 100 canfacilitate in whole or in part obtaining a first plurality of images,identifying a first plurality of characteristics in the first pluralityof images, determining that a first match exists based on a comparisonof the first plurality of characteristics to a second plurality ofcharacteristics associated with a plurality of objects, responsive tothe determining that the first match exists, identifying a first object,a second object, or a combination thereof, as being present in the firstplurality of images, resulting in at least one identified object,identifying a third plurality of characteristics in the first pluralityof images based on a processing of the first plurality of images inaccordance with a bounding region that at least partially surrounds theat least one identified object, determining that a second match existsbased on a comparison of the third plurality of characteristics to aplurality of attributes, responsive to the determining that the secondmatch exists, identifying a first attribute of the plurality ofattributes as being present in the at least one identified object, andselecting the at least one identified object to receive a deployment ofa first resource in accordance with the identifying of the at least oneidentified object and the identifying of the first attribute.Communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in partdetermining that a first instance of a first object is present in afirst image in accordance with an execution of a first image processingalgorithm, responsive to the determining that the first instance of thefirst object is present in the first image, generating a first boundingregion that at least partially surrounds the first instance of the firstobject in the first image, determining that the first instance of thefirst object in the first image has a first attribute in accordance withan execution of a second image processing algorithm, wherein the secondimage processing algorithm is operative on the first image in accordancewith the first bounding region, and selecting the first instance of thefirst object, a second instance of the first object, or a combinationthereof, to receive a deployment of a network resource in accordancewith the determining that the first instance of the first object in thefirst image has the first attribute.

In particular, in FIG. 1 a communications network 125 is presented forproviding broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 viaaccess terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobiledevices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voiceaccess 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of audio/video displaydevices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition, communication network125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175 of audio, video,graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access 110, wirelessaccess 120, voice access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately,one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multipleaccess services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 canreceive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can beprovided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system 200 a functioning within, or operatively overlaidupon, the communication network 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with variousaspects described herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the system 200a may be at least partially implemented in hardware, software, firmware,or any combination thereof. As described in further detail below, thesystem 200 a may be implemented/utilized to identify mount locations forreceiving/deploying/placing one or more resources, such as for examplecommunication network resources.

The system 200 a may incorporate various types/kinds of image captureequipment, illustratively depicted as a camera 204 a in FIG. 2A. Forexample, the image capture equipment 204 a may include a vehicle, suchas an aircraft (e.g., fixed-wing aircraft, rotary aircraft, etc.), aspacecraft (e.g., satellites), a motor vehicle (e.g., a car, a truck, abus, an all-terrain vehicle etc.), a train/railcar/locomotive, a marinecraft (e.g., a boat, a ship, a ferry, a yacht, etc.), a bicycle, etc. Insome embodiments, the image capture equipment 204 a may include userequipment (UE)/client devices, such as for example handheld cameras,mobile devices (e.g., smartphones), etc.

As depicted via reference character/block 254 a, one or more images maybe obtained from the image capture equipment 204 a. For example, as partof block 254 a, the images may be obtained directly from the imagecapture equipment 204 a and/or may be obtained indirectly from the imagecapture equipment 204 a via one or more third-partysites/service/devices. In the context of the vehicular image captureequipment described above, the images may be captured when the vehicleis at rest/on the ground and/or when the vehicle is inoperation/deployed (e.g., in motion). The images may becaptured/oriented at various angles or perspectives, such as for examplean overhead perspective, a street-side or street-view perspective, etc.

Once the images are obtained (block 254 a), the images may be processedto identify one or more potential/candidate locations/objects forreceiving/deploying/placing/mounting one or more resources asrepresented by block 258 a. For example, the processing of the imagesmay be performed in accordance with one or more algorithms. Thealgorithms may include one or more image processing algorithms. Thealgorithms may incorporate aspects of machine learning (ML), artificialintelligence (AI), and/or deep learning (DL). To facilitate an executionof the algorithms, data may be sourced/obtained from a data storage 208a (e.g., a computer-readable medium, a memory, a database, etc.).

The data included in the data storage 208 a may correspond to a profileor specification of known objects that may be used for mountingresources, such as for example streetlights, utility/telephone poles,ornate/decorative/historical poles, towers (e.g., communication towers),structures of buildings (e.g., trusses, pilings, etc.), etc. In thisrespect, the processing performed as part of block 258 a (which mayincorporate aspects of the method 258 b of FIG. 2B) may includeidentifying characteristics/parameters of/in the images of block 254 a(see FIG. 2B: block 258 b-1), and then comparing the identifiedcharacteristics/parameters with characteristic/parameters of the objectsrepresented by the data of the data storage 208 a (see FIG. 2B: block258 b-5).

In some embodiments, as part of block 258 a of FIG. 2A (see FIG. 2B:block 258 b-5), one or more scores may be generated. The scores may berepresentative of the degree/extent to which an object included in theimages of block 254 a match the profile/specification of the objectsrepresented in the data of the data storage 208 a in accordance with thecomparison. As an illustrative example, on a scale of 0.00 to 1.00 ascore of 1.00 may represent an exact match, whereas a score of 0.00 mayrepresent a complete lack of a match. Other scoring scales/rankings maybe used in some embodiments. A threshold may be generated/established aspart of identifying whether a match exists (e.g., the “yes” path out ofblock 258 b-7 of FIG. 2B). To continue the above example incorporatingscoring on a scale from 0.00 to 1.00, and assuming that a threshold of0.90 is used, scores (equal to or) above 0.90 may be declared a match,whereas scores (equal to or) less than 0.90 may be declared as not beinga match (e.g., may be declared as a lack of a match).

If the comparison yields an exact match or a similar match (e.g., amatch in an amount that is greater than a threshold) (see FIG. 2B: block258 b-7), then the characteristics of the images may beidentified/declared as the object represented by the data of the datastorage 208 a (see FIG. 2B: block 258 b-9). On the other hand, if thereis no such match based on the comparison, the characteristics of theimages may be ignored and/or subjected to additional processing asneeded/desired (see FIG. 2B: block 258 b-11).

As part of block 258 b-9 of FIG. 2B, one or more profiles may beestablished/generated for the identified/declared objects. Such profilesmay be stored in/by, e.g., the data storage 208 a of FIG. 2A.

In some embodiments, the processing performed as part of block 258 a maybe based on (e.g., may be supplemented via) geo-tagged coordinates(e.g., latitude and longitude). For example, metadata appended to theimages of block 254 a may include an identification of a geographicallocation of the subject matter of the images. In this respect, the dataof the data storage 208 a may identify objects on the basis ofgeographical data. Thus, in some embodiments the comparison describedabove in conjunction with, e.g., block 258 b-5 of FIG. 2B may be basedon location/coordinate data/characteristics. For example, the comparisonmay entail looking up an identification of an object in a look-up tablestored by the data storage 208 a, where the location/coordinate dataspecified by the metadata of the images may serve as an index into thelook-up table.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, an example of an image 254 c (which may beincluded as part of the images of block 254 a of FIG. 2A) is shown. Theprocessing of the image 254 c in accordance with the description setforth above (e.g., in accordance with block 258 a of FIGS. 2A-2B) mayserve to identify two potential/candidate objects for mounting aresource—namely, a first object 204 c-1 (e.g., a first pole) and asecond object 204 c-2 (e.g., a second pole). As shown in FIG. 2C (seealso FIG. 2B: block 258 b-13), the first object 204 c-1 and the secondobject 204 c-2 may be included/contained within a first bounding region208 c-1 and a second bounding region 208 c-2, respectively.

While the bounding regions 208 c-1 and 208 c-2 are shown in FIG. 2C asbeing (substantially) box-like or rectangular in shape, other shapes(e.g., regular shapes and/or irregular shapes) may be used in someembodiments. Use of regular shapes may simplify subsequent processingdiscussed below, at the potential expense of includingextraneous/unnecessary detail. Accordingly, one skilled in the art willappreciate that trade-offs may be made in accordance with one or moreapplication requirements.

In some embodiments, the scores of, e.g., block 258 b-5 of FIG. 2B mayinfluence a shape and/or size of the bounding regions 208 c-1 and 208c-2. For example, if the score is indicative of a close/strong match,the bounding region may be made smaller and conform more closely to theprofile of the respective object than if the score is indicative of afar/weak match.

The bounding regions 208 c-1 and 208 c-2 may be identified/generated asa result of the processing of block 258 a of FIG. 2A. For reasons thatwill become clearer in the description below, theidentification/recognition of the objects 204 c-1 and 204 c-2 and/or theidentification/generation of the bounding regions 208 c-1 and 208 c-2may serve as a first-stage of a filter with respect to the image 254 c.

Having identified the candidate objects (e.g., objects 204 c-1 and 204c-2 of FIG. 2C) (and respective bounding regions [e.g., bounding regions208 c-1 and 208 c-2 of FIG. 2C]) for receiving/mounting a resource inconjunction with the processing of block 258 a described above,additional processing may be performed with respect to such candidateobjects/bounding regions as represented by block 262 a of FIG. 2A. Asthe nomenclature implies, the processing of block 262 a may be boundedby/limited to the bounding regions, which is to say that the processingof block 262 a may effectively ignore/discard of image data that isoutside of/external to the bounding regions. Ignoring/discarding of suchdata may help to eliminate noise that may be present in an image (e.g.,the image 254 c of FIG. 2C). Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C, and inview of the disclosure above, the processing performed in block 262 amay represent a second-stage of the filter with respect to the image 254c.

The processing of block 262 a may be performed in accordance with one ormore algorithms, such as for example one or more image processingalgorithms. The processing/algorithms of block 262 a may incorporateaspects of ML, AI, and/or DL. The processing of block 262 a may serve toidentify attributes of the candidate objects, in accordance with datacontained within/stored by a data storage 212 a. The data storage 212 amay correspond to the data storage 208 a, which is to say that a commonhousing/storage device may be used in some embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2D, the processing performed as part ofblock 262 a may incorporate aspects of the method 262 d. In block 262d-1, characteristics in/of/associated with an object in an image may beidentified. To demonstrate, and taking the object 204 c-1 of FIG. 2C asan example, a dimension (e.g., a height, a diameter, a circumference,etc.) of the object 204 c-1 may be identified. If the image 254 ccontains/exhibits a sharp contrast (e.g., a large gradient) proximate tothe object 204 c-1 (e.g., within a threshold distance of the object 204c-1), such a condition may be noted as part of block 262 d-1; thiscondition may be indicative of a large amount of light (e.g., sunlight)reflecting off of the object 204 c-1, such that it may be inferred thatthe object 204 c-1 is made of metal. Conversely, the lack of such asharp contrast/gradient proximate the object 204 c-1 in the image 254 cmay be indicative of the object 204 c-1 absorbing a large portion of thelight—e.g., not being made of metal (e.g., being made of wood). Stillfurther, a sharp gradient (or lack thereof) may be indicative ofequipment (e.g., utility equipment), signage (e.g., road/highway signs),traffic signals (e.g., traffic lights, cross-walk signals), etc., suchas for example an attachment mechanism 212 c-1 of FIG. 2C, that may bepresent on the object 204 c-1. Whether a particular gradient is sharp ornot may be based on a comparison with one or more thresholds.

In block 262 d-5, the characteristics identified in block 262 d-1 may becompared with known attributes (as represented by the data in the datastorage 212 a). To continue the above example, the height of the object204 c-1 identified as part of block 262 d-1 may indicate that the object204 c-1 is likely a pole. The characteristics of the image describedabove in terms of, e.g., sharpness of gradient may be compared withknown characteristics in relation to the same to identify, e.g., one ormore dimensions, materials, equipment, signage, traffic signals, etc.,with a given likelihood/probability. One or more scores may be generatedas part of block 262 d-5 to indicate the extent/degree to which thecomparison yields a match (e.g., an exact match, a substantial match, alack of a match, etc.).

As described above, the comparison of block 262 d-5 may yield adetermination of whether a match exists (e.g., an exact match or a matchin an amount greater than a threshold) in block 262 d-7. If so (e.g.,the “yes” path is taken from block 262 d-7), flow may proceed to block262 d-9; otherwise (e.g., the “no” path is taken from block 262 d-7),flow may proceed to block 262 d-11. In block 262 d-11, thecharacteristics of the objects may be ignored and/or subjected toadditional processing as needed/desired.

In block 262 d-9, the attributes represented in the data of the datastorage 212 a may be identified/declared as corresponding to thecharacteristics identified in block 262 d-1. As part of block 262 d-9,the attributes may be appended to a profile for the object 204 c-1(where the profile for the object 204 c-1 may be stored as data in,e.g., the data storage 208 a as set forth above).

While the processing of block 262 a (e.g., the execution of the method262 d) was described above in relation to the object 204 c-1 (or,analogously, the bounding region 208 c-1), the processing/execution maybe applied in respect of the object 204 c-2 (or, analogously, thebounding region 208 c-2). For example, the processing/execution asapplied to the object 204 c-2 may serve to identify the attachmentmechanism 212 c-2 and a power-head 216 c-2.

The power-head 216 c-2 may correspond to a section of the object 204 c-2that may be reserved for power/electrical equipment (e.g., atransformer) as provided by a power/electrical generatingoperator/service provider. In this respect, a resource that may bedeployed/mounted to the object 204 c-2 may be required to maintain asufficient (e.g., minimum) clearance relative to the power-head 216 c-2.In some instances, the inclusion of the power-head 216 c-2 may eveneliminate the object 204 c-2 from serving as a candidate for receivingthe resource.

Having identified the candidate objects in conjunction with block 258 a,and having identified attributes associated with the candidate objectsin conjunction with block 262 a, additional processing may be performedas represented by block 266 a. The processing of block 266 a may beperformed in accordance with one or more algorithms. Theprocessing/algorithms of block 266 a may incorporate aspects of ML, AI,and/or DL. The processing of block 266 a may serve to select one or moremounting/mount objects to receive the resource(s), in accordance withdata contained within/stored by a data storage 216 a. The data storage216 a may correspond to the data storage 208 a and/or the data storage212 a, which is to say that a common housing/storage device may be usedin some embodiments.

The data of the data storage 216 a may include/identifyrestrictions/limitations in respect of one or more of the candidateobjects and/or one or more of the attributes associated therewith. Forexample, and as described above, the power-head 216 c-2 associated withthe object 204 c-2 may represent a restriction in terms of where on theobject 204 c-2 the resource may be located (if at all). Similarly, thedata of the data storage 216 a may include/identify preferences inrespect of one or more of the candidate objects and/or one or more ofthe attributes associated therewith. Such preferences may be specifiedin accordance with one or more terms/conditions. For example, apreference may be established on the basis of a technicalspecification/value (e.g., maintaining/reducing signal interference in acommunication system in/to an amount less than a threshold), a businessgoal/objective (e.g., generate at least ‘X’ amount of revenue/profit perquarter), etc. The restrictions/limitations and/or preferences may beestablished by one or more entities, such as for example a givenjurisdiction, a governmental entity (e.g., a local or regional board ofofficials), a private party, etc.

Once the object(s) for receiving the resource(s) are selected from thepool of candidate objects, the processing of block 266 a may cause theresource(s) to be deployed on/about the selected objects. For example,as part of block 266 a, directions may be generated and presented inconjunction with a presentation device (e.g., a display device, aspeaker, a print-out, etc.). The directions may advise atechnician/operator of a geographical location where the selectedobject(s) is/are located relative to a current location of thetechnician/operator (e.g., driving directions to a site of the selectedobject(s) may be provided). The directions may identify a resource(e.g., resource 200 e of FIG. 2E) by a part number. The directions mayprovide an indication (e.g., a visual indication) of where the resourceis to be placed on/about the selected object(s), potentially inaccordance with the attributes identified as part of block 262 a. Insome embodiments, the directions may include a video tutorial.

The deployment of the resource(s) about the object(s) in conjunctionwith block 266 a may result in attributes of the resource(s) beingappended to one or more profiles for the object(s).

Referring to FIG. 2E, a network resource 200 e is shown as being placedon/about an object 204 e (where the object 204 e may correspond to oneof the objects 204 c-1 through 204 c-2 of FIG. 2C). In an illustrativeembodiment, the object 204 e may correspond to a utility pole coupled toa second utility pole 214 e via a transmission medium 224 e. In theexample of FIG. 2E, the resource 200 e may include an antenna 200 e-1, atransmitter (TX) 200 e-2, and/or a receiver 200 e-3. Other types ofresources may be deployed as part of, e.g., block 266 a of FIG. 2A insome embodiments.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectivemethodological operations/processes are shown and described as a seriesof blocks in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2D, it is to be understood andappreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the orderof the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/orconcurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and describedherein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required toimplement the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, aspects of the methods described herein may beexecuted iteratively/repeatedly. To demonstrate, while aspects of animplementation of the system 200 a (e.g., the processing associated withthe blocks 258 a and 262 a) were described above as implementing atwo-stage filter, in some embodiments additional stages may beincluded/incorporated. For example, if based on an initial analysis itis unclear whether a given (candidate) object of a particular type/kindis included in an image (see FIG. 2A: block 258 a; see also FIG. 2B:blocks 258 b-7 and blocks 258 b-11), additional images may berequested/obtained in an effort to clarify the state of the given(candidate) object. As another example, if a particular attribute ofinterest is identified in relation to a (candidate) object (see FIG. 2A:block 262 a; see also FIG. 2D), additional bounding boxes may begenerated/defined to focus analysis on that attribute. In this respect,analyses of objects and/or attributes may occur in accordance withvarious levels of detail/specificity.

In some embodiments, aspects of the disclosure may provide for adetection/identification of objects or attributes using one or moreneural networks. For example, one or more convolutional neural networksmay be incorporated to identify objects or attributes.

Aspects of the disclosure may be used to streamline the development,deployment, and/or maintenance of a network (e.g., a communicationnetwork). For example, aspects of the disclosure may reduce (e.g.,minimize) the number of site visits that may be required of techniciansto determine whether objects are present at a given location, and if so,whether those objects are suitable candidates for receiving/deploying aresource. Still further, aspects of the disclosure may be used toidentify opportunities (e.g., locations/objects) for a deployment ofresources that otherwise may have been overlooked/missed.

Aspects of the disclosure may leverage pre-existing image captureequipment (e.g., image capture equipment 204 a of FIG. 2A) and/or images(e.g., images 254 a of FIG. 2A) (which may be stored in, and may beaccessible via, one or more data stores) to identify and/or select oneor more locations/objects for receiving network resources (e.g., networkinfrastructure). Stated slightly differently, aspects of this disclosuremay be facilitated via a use of legacy/pre-existing equipment (which mayinitially have been deployed for reasons unrelated to network resourcedeployment/management), such that aspects of the disclosure may beimplemented with little-to-no additional cost/overhead.

Aspects of the disclosure may be used to enrich a database of dataregarding locations/objects for receiving network resources. In someembodiments, locations/objects that have demonstrated poor performance(e.g., performance that is less than a metric/threshold) may beremoved/banned from serving as a candidate location/object in futuredeployments/implementations. In this respect, a log/history oflocations/objects may assist a network/service operator/provider fromincurring costly mistakes/rework.

In some embodiments, models (e.g., communication system/network models)may be executed/exercised to identify/assess a prospective performanceof network resources when deployed/implemented at a givenlocation/object. While aspects of such model execution may provideinsight into the performance of a specific network resource at the givenlocation, the execution of the model may also identify the impact of oneor more operations of the resource on other resources (at the samelocation and/or at other locations). For example, while a first resourcemay operate/function as intended at a first location, the first resourcemay negatively impact (e.g., may cause signal/message/communicationinterference in relation to) a second resource (at the first location orat a second location). In this regard, an execution of one or moremodels may assist engineers/technicians in identifying an impact of adeployment of a first resource on one or more additional resources. Inthis respect, aspects of the disclosure may facilitate a decision-makingprocedure at both the device/component level and the system/networklevel. The models may be modified in accordance with a deployment of oneor more resources, thereby resulting in modified models.

Aspects of this disclosure may facilitate an identification/selection ofobjects or locations for receiving/placing/mounting resources.Additionally, aspects of the disclosure may facilitate a maintenance ofsuch objects, locations, and/or resources by proactively identifyingwhen such maintenance should be performed (e.g., relative to aprobability of inoperability of a resource exceeding a threshold), aswell as identifying equipment and/or personnel needed to perform suchmaintenance. For example, in relation to the resource 200 e of FIG. 2E,a frequency band of communication associated with a transmitter (e.g.,TX 200 e-2) may be adjusted to account for an aging/drift of a firstoscillator of the transmitter over time. A technician may be dispatchedto the site of the transmitter if, e.g., the first oscillator needs tobe replaced. The technician may be instructed to bring asecond/replacement oscillator.

Aspects of the disclosure may be used to recommend and/oridentify/select one or more operating parameters (e.g., a transmissionpower level, a frequency band, a modulation/demodulation scheme, anencoding/decoding scheme, an encryption/decryption scheme) of a networkresource(s). The operating parameter(s) may be selected based on anidentification of one or more objects and/or one or more attributes asidentified in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a selection of one or moreobjects to receive a deployment of one or more resources may be based ondata associated with a communication system. For example, such data maybe obtained and analyzed as part of the selection. The data may refer toat least one signal quality parameter/metric, such as for example areceived signal strength, interference, noise, or any combinationthereof.

Aspects of the disclosure may facilitate a selection of an object toreceive a deployment of a resource in accordance with one or moreattributes. For example, an object having/possessing a given attributemay make it more likely that the object will receive the deployment ofthe resource than if the object did not possess the given attribute. Inthis regard, aspects of the disclosure may identify attributes that anobject has, as well as identify attributes that an object lacks.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of system 200 a, method 258 b,and method 262 d presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2D. For example,virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partobtaining an image that is sourced from a vehicle, identifying a firstplurality of characteristics in the image, comparing the first pluralityof characteristics to a second plurality of characteristics associatedwith a plurality of objects to generate a first score, determining thata first match exists based on a comparison of the first score to a firstthreshold, responsive to the determining that the first match exists,identifying a first object of the plurality of objects as being presentin the image, identifying a third plurality of characteristics in theimage based on a processing of the image in accordance with a firstbounding region that surrounds the first object in the image, comparingthe third plurality of characteristics to a plurality of attributes togenerate a second score, determining that a second match exists based ona comparison of the second score to a second threshold, responsive tothe determining that the second match exists, identifying a firstattribute of the plurality of attributes as being present in the firstobject, and selecting the first object or a second object of theplurality of objects to receive a deployment of a communication networkresource in accordance with the identifying of the first object and theidentifying of the first attribute. Virtualized communication network300 can facilitate in whole or in part obtaining a first plurality ofimages, identifying a first plurality of characteristics in the firstplurality of images, determining that a first match exists based on acomparison of the first plurality of characteristics to a secondplurality of characteristics associated with a plurality of objects,responsive to the determining that the first match exists, identifying afirst object, a second object, or a combination thereof, as beingpresent in the first plurality of images, resulting in at least oneidentified object, identifying a third plurality of characteristics inthe first plurality of images based on a processing of the firstplurality of images in accordance with a bounding region that at leastpartially surrounds the at least one identified object, determining thata second match exists based on a comparison of the third plurality ofcharacteristics to a plurality of attributes, responsive to thedetermining that the second match exists, identifying a first attributeof the plurality of attributes as being present in the at least oneidentified object, and selecting the at least one identified object toreceive a deployment of a first resource in accordance with theidentifying of the at least one identified object and the identifying ofthe first attribute. Virtualized communication network 300 canfacilitate in whole or in part determining that a first instance of afirst object is present in a first image in accordance with an executionof a first image processing algorithm, responsive to the determiningthat the first instance of the first object is present in the firstimage, generating a first bounding region that at least partiallysurrounds the first instance of the first object in the first image,determining that the first instance of the first object in the firstimage has a first attribute in accordance with an execution of a secondimage processing algorithm, wherein the second image processingalgorithm is operative on the first image in accordance with the firstbounding region, and selecting the first instance of the first object, asecond instance of the first object, or a combination thereof, toreceive a deployment of a network resource in accordance with thedetermining that the first instance of the first object in the firstimage has the first attribute.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1), suchas an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part obtaining an image that is sourced from avehicle, identifying a first plurality of characteristics in the image,comparing the first plurality of characteristics to a second pluralityof characteristics associated with a plurality of objects to generate afirst score, determining that a first match exists based on a comparisonof the first score to a first threshold, responsive to the determiningthat the first match exists, identifying a first object of the pluralityof objects as being present in the image, identifying a third pluralityof characteristics in the image based on a processing of the image inaccordance with a first bounding region that surrounds the first objectin the image, comparing the third plurality of characteristics to aplurality of attributes to generate a second score, determining that asecond match exists based on a comparison of the second score to asecond threshold, responsive to the determining that the second matchexists, identifying a first attribute of the plurality of attributes asbeing present in the first object, and selecting the first object or asecond object of the plurality of objects to receive a deployment of acommunication network resource in accordance with the identifying of thefirst object and the identifying of the first attribute. Computingenvironment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part obtaining a firstplurality of images, identifying a first plurality of characteristics inthe first plurality of images, determining that a first match existsbased on a comparison of the first plurality of characteristics to asecond plurality of characteristics associated with a plurality ofobjects, responsive to the determining that the first match exists,identifying a first object, a second object, or a combination thereof,as being present in the first plurality of images, resulting in at leastone identified object, identifying a third plurality of characteristicsin the first plurality of images based on a processing of the firstplurality of images in accordance with a bounding region that at leastpartially surrounds the at least one identified object, determining thata second match exists based on a comparison of the third plurality ofcharacteristics to a plurality of attributes, responsive to thedetermining that the second match exists, identifying a first attributeof the plurality of attributes as being present in the at least oneidentified object, and selecting the at least one identified object toreceive a deployment of a first resource in accordance with theidentifying of the at least one identified object and the identifying ofthe first attribute. Computing environment 400 can facilitate in wholeor in part determining that a first instance of a first object ispresent in a first image in accordance with an execution of a firstimage processing algorithm, responsive to the determining that the firstinstance of the first object is present in the first image, generating afirst bounding region that at least partially surrounds the firstinstance of the first object in the first image, determining that thefirst instance of the first object in the first image has a firstattribute in accordance with an execution of a second image processingalgorithm, wherein the second image processing algorithm is operative onthe first image in accordance with the first bounding region, andselecting the first instance of the first object, a second instance ofthe first object, or a combination thereof, to receive a deployment of anetwork resource in accordance with the determining that the firstinstance of the first object in the first image has the first attribute.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part obtaining an image that is sourced from a vehicle,identifying a first plurality of characteristics in the image, comparingthe first plurality of characteristics to a second plurality ofcharacteristics associated with a plurality of objects to generate afirst score, determining that a first match exists based on a comparisonof the first score to a first threshold, responsive to the determiningthat the first match exists, identifying a first object of the pluralityof objects as being present in the image, identifying a third pluralityof characteristics in the image based on a processing of the image inaccordance with a first bounding region that surrounds the first objectin the image, comparing the third plurality of characteristics to aplurality of attributes to generate a second score, determining that asecond match exists based on a comparison of the second score to asecond threshold, responsive to the determining that the second matchexists, identifying a first attribute of the plurality of attributes asbeing present in the first object, and selecting the first object or asecond object of the plurality of objects to receive a deployment of acommunication network resource in accordance with the identifying of thefirst object and the identifying of the first attribute. Platform 510can facilitate in whole or in part obtaining a first plurality ofimages, identifying a first plurality of characteristics in the firstplurality of images, determining that a first match exists based on acomparison of the first plurality of characteristics to a secondplurality of characteristics associated with a plurality of objects,responsive to the determining that the first match exists, identifying afirst object, a second object, or a combination thereof, as beingpresent in the first plurality of images, resulting in at least oneidentified object, identifying a third plurality of characteristics inthe first plurality of images based on a processing of the firstplurality of images in accordance with a bounding region that at leastpartially surrounds the at least one identified object, determining thata second match exists based on a comparison of the third plurality ofcharacteristics to a plurality of attributes, responsive to thedetermining that the second match exists, identifying a first attributeof the plurality of attributes as being present in the at least oneidentified object, and selecting the at least one identified object toreceive a deployment of a first resource in accordance with theidentifying of the at least one identified object and the identifying ofthe first attribute. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in partdetermining that a first instance of a first object is present in afirst image in accordance with an execution of a first image processingalgorithm, responsive to the determining that the first instance of thefirst object is present in the first image, generating a first boundingregion that at least partially surrounds the first instance of the firstobject in the first image, determining that the first instance of thefirst object in the first image has a first attribute in accordance withan execution of a second image processing algorithm, wherein the secondimage processing algorithm is operative on the first image in accordancewith the first bounding region, and selecting the first instance of thefirst object, a second instance of the first object, or a combinationthereof, to receive a deployment of a network resource in accordancewith the determining that the first instance of the first object in thefirst image has the first attribute.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part obtaining animage that is sourced from a vehicle, identifying a first plurality ofcharacteristics in the image, comparing the first plurality ofcharacteristics to a second plurality of characteristics associated witha plurality of objects to generate a first score, determining that afirst match exists based on a comparison of the first score to a firstthreshold, responsive to the determining that the first match exists,identifying a first object of the plurality of objects as being presentin the image, identifying a third plurality of characteristics in theimage based on a processing of the image in accordance with a firstbounding region that surrounds the first object in the image, comparingthe third plurality of characteristics to a plurality of attributes togenerate a second score, determining that a second match exists based ona comparison of the second score to a second threshold, responsive tothe determining that the second match exists, identifying a firstattribute of the plurality of attributes as being present in the firstobject, and selecting the first object or a second object of theplurality of objects to receive a deployment of a communication networkresource in accordance with the identifying of the first object and theidentifying of the first attribute. Computing device 600 can facilitatein whole or in part obtaining a first plurality of images, identifying afirst plurality of characteristics in the first plurality of images,determining that a first match exists based on a comparison of the firstplurality of characteristics to a second plurality of characteristicsassociated with a plurality of objects, responsive to the determiningthat the first match exists, identifying a first object, a secondobject, or a combination thereof, as being present in the firstplurality of images, resulting in at least one identified object,identifying a third plurality of characteristics in the first pluralityof images based on a processing of the first plurality of images inaccordance with a bounding region that at least partially surrounds theat least one identified object, determining that a second match existsbased on a comparison of the third plurality of characteristics to aplurality of attributes, responsive to the determining that the secondmatch exists, identifying a first attribute of the plurality ofattributes as being present in the at least one identified object, andselecting the at least one identified object to receive a deployment ofa first resource in accordance with the identifying of the at least oneidentified object and the identifying of the first attribute. Computingdevice 600 can facilitate in whole or in part determining that a firstinstance of a first object is present in a first image in accordancewith an execution of a first image processing algorithm, responsive tothe determining that the first instance of the first object is presentin the first image, generating a first bounding region that at leastpartially surrounds the first instance of the first object in the firstimage, determining that the first instance of the first object in thefirst image has a first attribute in accordance with an execution of asecond image processing algorithm, wherein the second image processingalgorithm is operative on the first image in accordance with the firstbounding region, and selecting the first instance of the first object, asecond instance of the first object, or a combination thereof, toreceive a deployment of a network resource in accordance with thedetermining that the first instance of the first object in the firstimage has the first attribute.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)7=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naöve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: obtaining an image; identifying afirst plurality of characteristics in the image; identifying a firstobject of a plurality of objects as being present in the image inaccordance with a comparison of the first plurality of characteristicsto a second plurality of characteristics associated with the pluralityof objects; identifying a third plurality of characteristics in theimage based on a processing of the image in accordance with a firstbounding region that at least partially surrounds the first object inthe image; identifying a first attribute of a plurality of attributes asbeing present in the first object in accordance with a comparison of thethird plurality of characteristics to the plurality of attributes; andselecting the first object or a second object of the plurality ofobjects to receive a deployment of a resource in accordance with theidentifying of the first object and the identifying of the firstattribute.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the resource comprises atransmitter, a receiver, and an antenna.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the image is sourced from a first image captured by a fixed-wingaircraft and a second image captured by a satellite, and wherein theimage comprises a composite of the first image and the second image. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of objects comprises astreetlight, a utility pole, an ornate pole, a tower, and a structure ofa building.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofattributes comprises a dimension, a material, a utility equipment, aroad sign, a traffic signal, and an attachment mechanism.
 6. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the comparison of the first plurality ofcharacteristics to the second plurality of characteristics generates afirst score, and wherein the operations further comprise: responsive toa determination that a first match exists in accordance with acomparison of the first score to a first threshold, identifying thesecond object as being present in the image.
 7. The device of claim 6,wherein the operations further comprise: identifying a fourth pluralityof characteristics in the image based on a processing of the image inaccordance with a second bounding region that surrounds the secondobject in the image; comparing the fourth plurality of characteristicsto the plurality of attributes to generate a second score; determiningthat a second match exists based on a comparison of the second score toa second threshold; and responsive to the determining that the secondmatch exists, identifying a second attribute of the plurality ofattributes as being present in the second object, wherein the selectingof the first object or the second object to receive the deployment ofthe resource is further in accordance with the identifying of the secondobject and the identifying of the second attribute.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: scheduling amaintenance activity with respect to at least one of the first object,the second object, the resource, or a combination thereof, in accordancewith the first attribute, wherein the scheduling comprises anidentification of personnel to perform the maintenance activity andequipment needed to perform the maintenance activity.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: selecting an operatingparameter for the resource in accordance with the first attribute. 10.The device of claim 9, wherein the operating parameter comprises atransmission power level, a frequency band, a modulation scheme, ademodulation scheme, an encoding scheme, a decoding scheme, anencryption scheme, a decryption scheme, or a combination thereof. 11.The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:generating and presenting directions for the deployment of the resourceabout the first object or the second object, wherein the directionscomprise driving directions to a geographical location where the firstobject or the second object is located, an identification of theresource by a part number, and a video tutorial that includes anindication of where the resource is to be mounted about the first objector the second object.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the selectingof the first object or the second object to receive the deployment ofthe resource is further in accordance with a specification of arestriction imposed by a jurisdiction, a governmental entity, or aprivate party in respect of a placement of the resource about the firstobject or the second object.
 13. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: obtaining a first plurality ofimages; identifying a first plurality of characteristics in the firstplurality of images; identifying a first object, a second object, or acombination thereof, as being present in the first plurality of imagesin accordance with a comparison of the first plurality ofcharacteristics to a second plurality of characteristics associated witha plurality of objects, resulting in at least one identified object;identifying a third plurality of characteristics in the first pluralityof images based on a processing of the first plurality of images inaccordance with a bounding region that at least partially surrounds theat least one identified object; identifying a first attribute of aplurality of attributes as being present in the at least one identifiedobject in accordance with a comparison of the third plurality ofcharacteristics to the plurality of attributes; and selecting adeployment of a first resource in accordance with the identifying of theat least one identified object and the identifying of the firstattribute.
 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13,wherein the first attribute comprises a geographical location of the atleast one identified object, and wherein the at least one identifiedobject comprises a streetlight, a utility pole, an ornate pole, a tower,a structure of a building, or any combination thereof.
 15. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the firstresource is associated with a communication system, wherein the firstresource comprises an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, or anycombination thereof, wherein the selecting comprises selecting the atleast one identified object to receive the deployment of the firstresource, and wherein the operations further comprise: obtaining dataassociated with at least one signal quality parameter of thecommunication system, wherein the at least one signal quality parameterrefers to a received signal strength, interference, noise, or anycombination thereof, wherein the selecting of the at least oneidentified object to receive the deployment of the first resource is inaccordance with an analysis of the data.
 16. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations furthercomprise: modifying a model of the communication system subsequent tothe deployment of the first resource about the at least one identifiedobject to generate a modified model, wherein the modified model is basedon an operating parameter of the first resource; obtaining a secondplurality of images subsequent to the modifying of the model;identifying a third object included in the second plurality of imagesvia an application of the second plurality of images to the modifiedmodel; identifying a second attribute of the plurality of attributesassociated with the third object responsive to the identifying of thethird object; selecting the first object, the second object, or thethird object for receiving a second resource responsive to theidentifying of the second attribute associated with the third object,resulting in a selected object for the second resource; and presentingan indication of the selected object for the second resource on apresentation device.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 13, wherein the selecting the deployment of the first resource isfurther in accordance with a specification of a restriction imposed by ajurisdiction, a governmental entity, a private party, or any combinationthereof, in respect of a placement of the first resource about a thirdobject.
 18. A method, comprising: determining, by a processing systemincluding a processor, that a first instance of a first object ispresent in a first image in accordance with an execution of a firstimage processing algorithm; determining, by the processing system, thatthe first instance of the first object in the first image has a firstattribute in accordance with an execution of a second image processingalgorithm; determining, by the processing system, that a second instanceof the first object is present in the first image, a second image, or acombination thereof, wherein the second instance of the first object isdifferent from the first instance of the first object; responsive to thedetermining that the second instance of the first object is present inthe first image, the second image, or the combination thereof,generating, by the processing system, a bounding region that at leastpartially surrounds the second instance of the first object in the firstimage, the second image, or the combination thereof; responsive to thegenerating of the bounding region, determining, by the processingsystem, that the second instance of the first object has a secondattribute that is different from the first attribute in accordance withthe execution of the second image processing algorithm operative on thefirst image, the second image, or the combination thereof; andselecting, by the processing system, a deployment of a resource inaccordance with the determining that the first instance of the firstobject in the first image has the first attribute and in accordance withthe determining that the second instance of the first object has thesecond attribute.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selectingcomprises selecting the first instance of the first object, the secondinstance of the first object, or a combination thereof, to receive thedeployment of the resource, the method further comprising: determining,by the processing system, that the second instance of the first objectdoes not have the first attribute in accordance with the execution ofthe second image processing algorithm operative on the first image, thesecond image, or the combination thereof, wherein the selecting of thefirst instance of the first object, the second instance of the firstobject, or the combination thereof, to receive the deployment of theresource is in accordance with the determining that the second instanceof the first object does not have the first attribute.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: appending, by the processing system, thefirst attribute to a profile for the first instance of the first objectresponsive to the determining that the first instance of the firstobject in the first image has the first attribute.